SIBU: There are still many pages of history on the struggle, culture and the formation of society in Sarawak that have not been recorded comprehensively, said Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
According to him, efforts to document history thus need to be strengthened and expanded, especially outside the peninsula, so that the treasures of local experiences and narratives do not continue to be marginalised.
“Especially in Sarawak and outside the peninsula, there is still a lot of history that has not been fully documented.
“Therefore, this is a shared responsibility, especially for those who have experience, to record and collate history,” he said at the launching of the Piece of the Story of the Struggle of the Nation: The Sincerity of Sacrifice, the Beauty of Independence book today (April 26).
Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, stressed that historical documentation should not focus solely on political struggles, but rather encompass the cultural dimension and life of communities of various races.
“Not only about the struggle, but also the cultural history of the community, which brings together various generations and backgrounds from the original community to the community that shapes today’s social landscape,” he explained.
Meanwhile, he reminded that failure to understand history risks causing past mistakes to be repeated.
“If we do not learn from history, it will be difficult for us to move forward. History can repeat itself if we fail to draw lessons. We do not want past mistakes to be repeated,” he stressed.
The Petra Jaya MP also called on cultural associations, graduate bodies and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to forge strategic partnerships with universities in conducting research and collecting archival materials.
The efforts, he said, should include documenting community leadership, traditional practices, early development initiatives and socio-political achievements that shape the Sarawakian identity today.
He added that there are still many important episodes in the state’s history that have not been explored in depth in academic writing, thus demanding more publications, oral history compilations and research-based documentation to strengthen the state’s heritage record.
In this regard, he hoped that more individuals and organisations would come forward to shoulder the responsibility of recording Sarawak’s history to ensure that future generations continue to appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of the past.
“History must be a source of strength for us to build a stronger Sarawak and Malaysia. I hope more people will come forward to record our stories, whether cultural, social or historical,” he said.
Meanwhile, the work of the late Hamdan Marais, completed in 2025, was published by the Sarawak branch of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in appreciation of his services and dedication in producing the manuscript.
The book brings together various historical events related to the struggle and figures of independence in Sarawak, which were recorded based on personal experiences and research efforts carried out by Hamdan.
In support of the initiative, Fadillah announced a donation of 5,000 copies of the book to schools and institutions throughout Sarawak.
“This donation aims to ensure that this book reaches students and the community. It can be an important reference for the younger generation to understand the sacrifices of their predecessors,” he added.
Also present were Fadillah’s wife, Datin Amar Ruziah Mohd Tahir, corporate figure Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad, DBP Director General, Hazami Jahari, Sibu Division Resident, Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman and the late Hamdan’s family representative, Madina Hamdan.
